Chapter Text
“Wangji, there you are. So glad you could make it.” Lan Xichen waved his younger brother over across the party venue held on the top floor of the Lotus Pier hotels.
Wearing an expensive two-piece white suit with light blue shirt and white dinner jacket, Lan Wangji walked towards him. Handing him a mocktail glass. Taking it, Xichen gave him a warm smile. “So, how was your trip? Any progress?”
“Mm. Good. Will submit my report tomorrow at the meeting.” Wangji said, taking a sip from his glass.
“That’s fantastic. Then let’s talk work tomorrow. You should mingle. I am sure you will run into our old prep school friend’s circle here. It’s a party thrown by the Jiang’s after all. I spot Nie Huaisang at the bar. Go say hello.”
“I am leaving. “
Xichen’s brows furrowed, “So soon? You just got here. At least stay and eat something. There is a fabulous spread at the buffet area, courtesy of their award-winning head chef.”
“Mm. Brother, it is almost 9 pm. I need to get to bed. Had a long flight. I am tired.” Wangji replied. Lan’s do not stay up post 9 pm. That’s how their uncle, Lan Qiren had raised both his nephews. Sleep early and wake up at 5 am was one of their many Lan family precepts. Wangji has followed those rules all his life. Nothing could keep him up post the scheduled hour. He prefers staying home when he is not working as a lead negotiator for their company Lan Energy Corp (LEC).
Lan Xichen on other hand was very flexible with his hours. Not that he was a party animal or anything. Usually, work keeps him up. As the CEO for Lan Energy Corp, he has to be available whenever required. But he was much more social than his brother. Attending political, corporate events and social banquets is something he has to do as part of his job profile.
“But it’s New Year’s Eve, Wangji. Stay. Enjoy your life a little bit. Catch up with old friends and make new ones. Maybe you might find someone interesting to hook up with” Xichen teased.
Wangji’s ears turned pink. “Brother!” he turned his head and looked away in embarrassment.
Xichen chuckled. Someone hailed him, so he patted his brother on the back and went on to join them.
There was live music but it was very loud for his taste. But the finger foods being served were delicious. Wangji grabbed some. He hadn’t eaten since lunch on the flight. He saw Jiang Fengmian, the owner of the Lotus Pier group of hotels standing with his wife and son Jiang Cheng talking to some people. The old man saw him and gave him a nod. He reciprocated in kind, thankful that he didn’t have to head over and make small talks. In the corner he saw Jiang's eldest daughter and the head chef of their hotels, Jiang Yanli with her new husband Jin Zixuan. The heir to the Jin Constructions. Spotting Wangji, he raised a glass to him in a cheerful salute. He responded with a slight smile. Old Prep school friends indeed!
But Wangji still didn’t want to stay. Parties bored him. He hated making small talk. He could barely keep the friends he did have; there was no space for new ones. Hooking up was out of the question. He tried it once and it left him cold. No thank you! It just wasn’t his scene. He wanted a deeper connection. But dating was difficult for someone like him. It was a catch-22 situation. Plus, his work kept him very busy. Maybe, he was better off alone, he mused.
“Lan Wangji! How is it going?” Nie Huaisang and his big brother Nie Mingjue cornered him.
Great! Now I have to make conversations. Wangji sighed. “Hello.”
Before he knew it, they were joined by their whole gang including Jiang Cheng, Jin Zixuan, Sue She and Wen Qing. Until finally Lan Xichen came and filled up the place next to him. He had a twinkle in his eyes. Trapped! Damn it, he did that on purpose. He gave his brother a blank stare who smirked at him.
It was very close to midnight when he finally escaped from his brother’s side who had somehow manipulated him to stay and mingle with all the guests. Introducing them one by one. He was physically and mentally exhausted.
He walked on to the deck outside. It was lit up with beautiful lights and décor just like the inside. Whoever was in charge of this event did an amazing job. It was cold but he was still wearing his jacket so he didn’t mind it so much. He found a private spot, right where the deck curved to the side of the building. There were potted plants hiding him from everyone. Finally! Some peace. He checked his watch. It was 10 minutes to midnight. Might as well stay here until then. He’d leave after that.
He stood there looking out at the city. On the horizon, he could see the long stretch of blue ocean, lazily laid out under the silvery white glow of the bright moon. Standing on top of a skyscraper as he was, his view was unobstructed. Breathtaking!
“Hey! You stole my spot!” a voice came from behind him. He turned around to look and was faced by a very handsome man in black shirt and red suit. Grey eyes and sunshine smile.
At that exact moment the night sky lit up like the neon glow of the Northern lights. The clock had struck 12 and the fireworks had begun. Shiny and sparkling confetti rained down on everyone’s head. People huddled together on the deck, laughing and hugging each other, yelling ‘Happy New Year’. Couples kissing in the background. But Wangji tuned everything out except the man in front of him, whose smile got even brighter; if that’s even possible, watching the garish display of lights in the sky.
Lan Wangji was captivated. The man in front of him looked at him, still smiling, “Hi! I am Wei Ying. May I join you to watch the show?” he asked.
He must have made some noise indicating consent because Wei Ying joined him at the railing looking up at the sky.
“God! I love fireworks! Every year no matter where I am I make it a point to find a perfect spot to watch them. When I was a kid, my family would drive out to the beach with a cooler full of soft drinks and sandwiches to watch the fire show. We would park the car, lay out the blanket and lie down waiting for midnight. It would be cold but we didn’t care. Mom would have her cashmere shawl which she would share with dad and me. Dad would always forget to pack extra. And when the fireworks would start, dad would pull out the sparklers and we would burn them together. Then he would put on the music in his car and he would pull mom into his arms making her laugh. They would be dancing and kissing the whole night, while I would fall asleep on the blanket. It was a family tradition.” He starts humming a song that sounds like Frankie Vallie’s, ‘Can’t take my eyes of you’.
Wangji just stares at him.
Suddenly, a colossal stream of rockets pierces the atmosphere, crackling and popping across the sky towards its doom. Then there was an explosion of vibrancy. Splashes of azure, red, indigo, green and orange all merged into an all-encompassing powerful wave of light lit up the night sky.
“Beautiful.” Wei Ying says, softy. Still looking at them with sparkling eyes.
“Mm.” Wangji agrees. Pretty sure they were not talking about the same things.
Once the fire show comes to its inevitable dramatic end, Wei Ying turns to look at him. “So? May I know your name? After all, we did watch the fireworks together. In some fairy cultures we could be considered married.” he joked.
“Lan Zhan.” Wangji’s voice croaks. He had no idea why he gave Wei Ying his intimate name rather than his courtesy name. No one called him Lan Zhan anymore. Only mom had…
“Lan Zhan. That is a beautiful name.” Wei Ying replies. He looks around as if looking for somebody. Then, “Were you hiding from someone? Your Wife? Girlfriend or maybe Boyfriend?” He gasps, “Maybe an ex?” he says, touching Wangji’s arm in sympathy. “They are incredibly hard to avoid. I know.”
“Mm. Not Married. Single. No ex.” Each word spaced out. Wangji didn’t know why he was having a hard time getting the words out more than usual. He was breathing hard too.
“No ex, huh? Must be nice. No complications,” Wei Ying nodded. “But you are hiding from someone.” It was a statement.
“Mm. Brother.”
“Ah!” he smiled wisely. “Me too. Hiding from my cousin. Jiang Cheng. Do you know him?” At Wangji’s nod, he continued. “He wants to lecture me again about joining the Lotus Pier Hotels and I do not want to argue. He won’t take no for an answer.” He huffed.
Wangji took a deep breath, “What..What does Wei Ying do?”
“Hmm? Oh, I am an Event manager. Actually, I own a small-time event management firm called Yiling Events Services.”
A thought occurred to Wangj, “Did you organize this party?”
Wei Ying grinned, “Great deductive skills, Watson! Yes. Just the event, not the catering because no one can top Yanli jiejie’s cooking.”
“The décor is wonderful. Wei Ying did an amazing job.”
“Thank you, Lan Zhan.” Someone tapped him on his back to get his attention. He turned, “Yes, Wen Ning. Any problem?” he asked the tall man in black suit standing behind.
“Wei ge, we were just about to leave. The mini truck will arrive early in the morning to load the lights and props. Our team will be here at that time to take down everything. Are you joining us tonight at Destiny? Do you want us to wait for you?” he asked.
“No that’s ok. You guys go on ahead. I will be there as soon as possible.” He waved him on
Turning toward Wangji, “Ok then, Lan Zhan. It was really nice meeting you. You are a really good listener. This was fun. Happy New Year to you.” Wei Ying smiled at him.
Wangji panicked. He wasn’t ready to part with Wei Ying, yet. He had a feeling that if he let Wei Ying leave now, he would lose something important.
“Can this one join Wei Ying in his plans tonight?” he asked, hesitantly.
Wei Ying raised an eyebrow, “You want to leave this fabulous five-star hotel and run away with little old me to a small stinking Irish pub called ‘Destiny’?”
“Mm.” Wangji nodded, making Wei Ying laugh out loud. The sound is doing something intense to the former's stomach.
“Alright, then. Let’s sneak out together.” He grabs Wangji’s hand and drags him into the hall, behind a pillar. They wait there for a while waiting for the people they know to move away from their path. Then Wei Ying comically looks out checking to see where his family is. “Ok my family is on the other end over at that corner. I think I can make it to the elevator without being seen. What about your brother?” he says typing a message to someone on his phone.
Wangji looks out trying to spot his brother. “Brother is not here.”
“Maybe he left?”
“Mm.” he shrugged.
Wei Ying puts the phone in his pocket, “Let’s make a break for it, Lan Zhan.” Then he winks, mischievously making Wangji’s heart beat faster. They run like school kids to the elevator, which opens just in time for them to slide in. Wei Ying leans forward to jab at the down button a few times. Once the elevator closes, they grin at each other. It does not occur to either of them to let go of each other’s hands.
Once the elevator stops at the lobby, they run out the back through the loading door to the parking area where a shiny red ‘67’ Cadillac convertible awaits. There is someone in the driver’s seat. It’s Nie Huaisang. A very stunned looking Nie Huaisang, who looks as if he has seen a ghost. Complete with wide eyes and open mouth.
“A Sang, snap out of it! Let’s go before Jiang Cheng sends the security guards to grab me like last time.” Wei Ying hisses at him as he gets into the passenger seat, leaving Wangji to squeeze into the back seat.
Huaisang starts the car and drives out of the parking lot like a bat fleeing out of hell. He looks at Wangji through the rear-view mirror, smiling mischievously. His pierced earring glittering in the reflection.
“So? When did you two become so close?” he asks.
Wei Ying just laughs, “Oh, Lan Zhan and I just met. I was just helping him break out of the party.” He leans towards Huaisang and whispers, “He wanted to escape his brother. So, I invited him to have drinks with us.”
Huaisang again looks at Wangji through the rear-view mirror wiggling his eyebrow impishly, making him flush. “Lan Zhan, huh? So, Lan Zhan, you willingly agreed to have drinks with Wei Ying? That’s so sweet!” he teased.
“Shut up.” Wangji muttered. Making his school friend roar with laughter.
Wei Ying frowned, “Am I missing something here? You two know each other from before?”
“Oh babe, Lan Wangji and I go way back. Right back to kindergarten. All through fancy prep school years. All of us do.” He answered.
“Oh right! I forgot you guys belong to the same high society social circuit.” He said, making a weird face. Then, “Lan Wangji? Is that your courtesy name?” he asked, looking behind.
“Mm.” Wangji answered.
“That’s a nice name too. Mine is Wei Wuxian. Must be nice to have a group of friends that go way back to childhood.” Wei Ying said, leaning back in his seat.
“Didn’t Wei Ying have childhood friends?” Wangji asked
“Well, we were always moving around a lot in my childhood. My father was in the Navy. Youngest Naval commander in history. Commander Wei Changze.” He said proudly. “But that meant we moved wherever he was stationed. It’s hard for a kid to make friends when every semester or so he would have to leave them behind and start over at a new school with new classmates. You just get good at making friends but not keeping them. After…after” There was a slight pause. “Afterwards I was at my grandparents’ home up in the mountains being homeschooled until I left for college.” He finished.
Huaisang grabbed his hand and squeezed, “Hey what am I? A Turnip? We have been friends through our childhood, right? I still love you, babe”
Wei Ying smiled, “Aww, A Sang that is so sweet! I love you too. You and Jiang Cheng are my only long-lasting childhood buddies. You would always show up at Jiang Mansion with a big suitcase demanding to be allowed to stay until I left after my summer break.”
“Well, of course I did. Can’t leave you at the mercy of that grumpy little bear all summer. That is a torture I wouldn’t want for my worst enemies.” Huaisang grinned.
“I would always spend my summer breaks with the Jiangs’ giving my parents a chance to travel together. The Jiangs’ are my paternal cousins. Uncle Jiang and my dad were cousin brothers. But they were as close as best friends. Their family always insisted I spend the summer with them while Jiang Cheng & Yanli Jiejie would come over for winter breaks wherever we were.” Wei Ying explained to Wangji.
Huaisang pulls up the car at a curb. They all get out of the car. Wei Ying extends a hand towards Wangji, “Shall we?” Making Wangi smile. He grabs hold of Wei Ying’s hand. Together they walk into a pub named ‘Destiny’.